2nd Annual Hustle for the Hungry 5K March 20, 2010

The 5K Hustle for the Hungry will take place on March 20, 2010 at Carolina Beach State Park (1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach) and will start at 9:00am. The run will take place rain or shine.

This 5K is a trail run that will begin and end in the Carolina Beach State Park Marina parking lot. The trails will be marked with mile markers in 1 mile increments and there will be race volunteers on the course to assist participants during the race. Walkers are encourage to participate.

Race Beneficiary

Please consider joining the Coastal Carolina Dietetic Association to support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and raise awareness of food insecurity in our local area. It is estimated that in our local thirty-four counties alone, there are approximately 400,000 people at risk for hunger, 30% of which are children. For every dollar donated, the Food bank is able to provide four meals to those in need.&

Race Entry Fees :

• Registration--$25.00*

*Each participant is asked to bring a non-perishable food item on race day. Bins will be available for donated food items.

To learn more about the race, visit the NCDA website

To register online, go here

Beached Pilot Whale Found Dead on Kitty Hawk

KITTY HAWK, N.C. (WAVY) - A beached whale was discovered dead in Kitty Hawk, N.C. Sunday, according to Officer Gard with the Dare County police.

The whale was a 10-12-foot Pilot whale, and was sick when it died, said the Marine Stranding team. They will do an autospy on the mammal to determine its cause of death.

Dare County police say they are waiting for scientists from Wilmington, N.C., to complete the autopsy before removing the whale from the beach.

For more info and photo, check out WAVY news.

I see it, I see it

Here's a cute video of a girl's reaction to spotting a dolphin close to shore at Fort Fisher.

The 5th Anuual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Day Lo Tide Run - March 13, 2010

It's that time of the year for everyone to sign up for one of the 'must do' events on Pleasure Island. The 5th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Day Lo Tide Run will take place on the morning of March 13th. If you register before March 5, 2010, the registration fee for the 10k Run or the 5k Run/Walk is $22.00. If you register after the 5th, the cost will be $27 (military men/women will receive a registration discount of $5). The 1 Mile Fun Run registration fee is $15 at any time.

Following the athletic events, there will be live music along with food and beverages. Booths and vendors will be set up around the Gazebo area and downtown restaurants, bars and businesses will be open to keep the morning fun flowing.

To learn more about the race or to register online, visit the official LoTideRun website.

The race is a tribute to Steve Haydu and Tim Reilly and the proceeds are used to financially assist individuals who are battling cancer.

To view photos of last years event, click here.

Wilmington Star: Fall in Love with Surf House’s Guinness Hot Cocoa

February 13th, 2010
by Liz Biro

The sun will come out tomorrow (or so weather forecasters say), which means Valentine’s Day walks are in order followed by steaming cups of Surf House’s radical hot chocolate.

Made with bars of French Valrhona chocolate, topped with “bruleed” marshmallows and mingled with unusual flavors like gingerbread, Nutella and Guinness stout, Surf House’s hot chocolates are worth the trip to Carolina Beach, no matter the circumstances.

The drinks are rich and hot with plenty of froth on top to float those marshmallows, two-bite treats that melt in the mouth but offer a little chew.

Read the full review here.

http://www.surfhousenc.com/

Snow Photos from Around the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Last evening, we had around 3 inches of snow in Carolina Beach making this the largest snowfall in nearly a decade. In Wilmington, they had up to 5 inches and Wrightsville Beach had around 4 inches.

Knowing that the snow would not last long, I headed out this morning at around 6:30am to capture some Pleasure Island winter scenes.

The photos are broken into four different posts due to the number of pictures. My favorite ones are of the sunbeams shooting thru the clouds at Fort Fisher and of the family making good use of a hill at Fort Fisher.

Click Any Photo to Enlarge

Snow Photos from Carolina Beach thru Kure Beach to the Fort Fisher Aquarium

Snow Photos from Fort Fisher part 1

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Snow Photos from Fort Fisher part 2

Heaven's snow

Winter Storm Watch for Carolina Beach, NC

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

A STORM SYSTEM WILL TRACK FROM THE GULF COAST OVER FLORIDA AND INTO THE ATLANTIC WATERS FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. AS IT MOVES EAST AND THEN NORTHEAST OVER THE ATLANTIC WATERS PRECIPITATION WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE COASTAL CAROLINAS FROM SOUTH TO NORTH THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. EXPECT RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW AT THE ONSET WITH TEMPERATURES RIGHT AROUND 40 DEGREES. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP THROUGH THE EVENING... CHANGING THE RAIN TO ALL SNOW.

THE GREATEST SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED LATE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT WITH UP TO 1 TO 3 INCHES TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. A FEW SPOTS MAY SEE UP TO 4 INCHES BEFORE THE SNOW WINDS DOWN EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

Previous snow postings

Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project Sea Life Art Auction May 16th

PISTP Sea Life Art Auction
and Wine Tasting
Ocean Grill Restaurant
1211 South Lake Park Boulevard
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Sunday May 16th, 2010
2PM - 5PM

The Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project (PISTP) is hosting a Sea Life Art Auction and Wine Tasting to be held on May 16, 2010. They are inviting local artists to donate a single piece of “Sea Life Art” for this fund raising endeavor. The proceeds will be split between the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital on Topsail Island & the PISTP for local sea turtle activities and education.

If you are interested in submitting a piece of art to help with these wonderful causes or if you have any questions, please call or e-mail the PISTP 2010 Auction Artist Coordinator Pat Rittenmeyer at 910.392.7884 or email to: patrittenmeyer@mindspring.com

Click either banner to learn more about the respective organizations:

Photo credit

NC Weekend Story: Carolina Beach

This UNC-TV video was posted here last summer but since they just added it to youtube in widescreen, it seemed like a good idea to post it again. They have some nice footage of the amusement rides and Britt's Donuts. Plus, they were nice enough to give this blog a mention ;-)

Join me as I take you back in time to on one of the oldest boardwalks on the East Coast and in North Carolina and introduce you to some of the best kept secrets of "Carolina Beach".

145th Fort Fisher The Untold Story... Three Old Confederates recalled into action for battle.

Check out this humorous behind the scenes view of the 145th Fort Fisher reenactment held January 16, 2010.

My favorite quote, "You can't shut him up even after death."

(3:39)

Valentine's Day at the Fort Fisher Aquarium

Celebrate each other this Valentine’s Day at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. “That’s A Moray!” is an exclusive evening for just 26 couples, featuring a four-course dinner, a souvenir photo and dancing while surrounded by the magic of the ocean. Private tables for two will be placed in front of captivating exhibits such as Cape Fear Shoals, Sharktooth Ledge, Hawaiian Fishes, and Moon Jellies.
Couples may reserve the table/exhibit of their choice on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the private or engagement minded couple, one exclusive table boasts its own dining room and personal view of the Cape Fear Shoals Exhibit in the “A Moray” Eel Cave with elegant décor.

The evening’s menu, prepared by Thyme Savor Catering, will feature an appetizer of seasonal fruit and cheese; Caesar salad; choice of entrée: chicken Boursin® with French Boursin® cream, beef tenderloin with béarnaise sauce, or harvest pasta with sliced vegetables. Afterwards, satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate cake for two provided by Island Cakery. An extended beverage selection will be offered as well.

Afterwards, dance the night away to classic love songs played by DJ Professionals and Video. Spend the night on the island: the Courtyard Marriott - Carolina Beach is offering special rates for the evening and the Aquarium will shuttle guests to and from this rendezvous point.

“That’s A Moray” is Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The all-inclusive price is $200-$300 per couple, dependent on table location or $500 for the “A Moray” private dining room. For reservations, call (910) 458-8257, ext: 218 or 202 or email terry.bryant@ncaquariums.com or emily.bullock@ncaquariums.com.

For Courtyard Marriott reservations, call (910) 458-2030 and reference the Aquarium’s “That’s A Moray” event.